Fantasy is usually full of tropes we’ve seen a thousand times, but every so often, a series comes along that feels like a punch to the gut. The Covenant of Steel by Anthony Ryan is exactly that. If you’ve spent any time in the r/Fantasy circles or browsing the "Grimdark" shelves at your local bookstore, you’ve likely seen the striking covers for The Pariah, The Martyr, and The Traitor. Ryan didn't just write another "knight in shining armor" story here. He basically took the concept of a medieval chronicle and soaked it in blood, mud, and some seriously unsettling religious fanaticism.
Honestly, most people jumped into this series because of Ryan’s reputation with Blood Song. That book was a masterpiece, but his subsequent work in that same universe felt a bit polarizing for some. With The Covenant of Steel, he returned to a first-person perspective, and man, it makes all the difference. You aren't just reading about a war; you are trapped inside the head of Alwyn Scribe as he tries to survive it.
Who is Alwyn Scribe?
Everything starts with Alwyn. He isn't a hero. He isn't even a particularly good person when we meet him in the woods of the Albermaine. He's a bandit. A criminal. A "pariah."
The genius of this trilogy is how Ryan handles Alwyn’s voice. Because the books are written as a memoir by an older Alwyn looking back on his life, there is this constant sense of irony and regret. He knows he’s a liar. He tells you he’s a liar. Yet, you can't help but trust him as he navigates a world that is rapidly falling apart. It's a clever trick. It reminds me a bit of Kvothe from The Name of the Wind, but without the "I'm amazing at everything" arrogance. Alwyn is competent, sure, but he gets his teeth kicked in. A lot.
He’s an outlaw who gets caught, ends up in the brutal pits of a copper mine, and eventually finds himself tied to the Rising Prophet, Evadine Courtain. This transition from a cynical thief to a high-ranking military scribe and commander is the backbone of the entire Covenant of Steel narrative. It’s a slow burn. Ryan takes his time showing us how a person's morality can be eroded or forged by the people they follow.
Religion as a Weapon of War
One thing The Covenant of Steel gets right—and what most fantasy authors get wrong—is how religion actually feels in a pre-industrial society. It isn't just "magic with different names." It’s an all-encompassing social pressure.
In the world of the Covenant, the faith is centered around the Seraphile and the idea of a coming martyrdom. When Evadine Courtain starts having visions, it doesn't just change her; it changes the geopolitical landscape of the entire continent. You see the fanaticism start small and then snowball into something terrifying.
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- Evadine isn't your typical "chosen one."
- The miracles are ambiguous enough to make you wonder if they are actually divine or just clever stagecraft.
- The "Ascendant Faith" feels lived-in, with its own internal schisms and bureaucratic nightmares.
Ryan explores the idea that it doesn't really matter if the religion is "true" in a magical sense. If enough people believe it, and enough people are willing to die for it, it becomes the most powerful force on earth. It’s gritty. It’s uncomfortable. It’s brilliant.
Why The Pariah Set the Stage
The first book, The Pariah, is basically a survival story. We see Alwyn go from the freedom of the woods to the literal darkness of the mines. It’s claustrophobic. Ryan’s prose here is sharp—he doesn't waste words describing every tree, but he makes you feel the grit under Alwyn's fingernails.
The relationship between Alwyn and the "Sack-witch" or his mentor, Deckle, provides the emotional weight. But the real shift happens when Alwyn joins the Covenant Company. This is where we see the "Steel" part of the title come into play. It’s about brotherhood, discipline, and the sheer horror of medieval-style combat. If you like Joe Abercrombie or Bernard Cornwell, you’ll recognize the DNA here. It’s dirty. It’s loud. People die for stupid reasons.
The Martyr and the Escalation of Stakes
By the time you get to The Martyr, the scope explodes. We move from small-scale skirmishes to full-on sieges and political maneuvering. This is where Alwyn really earns his "Scribe" moniker. He becomes a fixer. He’s the guy who has to balance the religious fervor of the troops with the harsh reality of logistics and enemy movements.
The character of Evadine becomes more complex here. Is she a saint? Is she a madwoman? Is she a puppet? Ryan keeps the reader—and Alwyn—guessing. This ambiguity is what keeps the pages turning. You’re waiting for the mask to slip. You’re waiting for the moment the "Covenant" reveals its true cost.
Dealing With the Supernatural
Some fans were surprised by how the supernatural elements crept into The Covenant of Steel. For the first half of the trilogy, it feels almost like historical fiction with the serial numbers rubbed off. But then, the weirdness starts.
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The "Malign" and the strange, otherworldly entities that haunt the edges of the map bring a sense of cosmic horror to the story. It isn't sparkly Gandalf magic. It’s "don't look into the shadows or your soul might leak out" magic. Ryan manages to balance this well. The magic never solves Alwyn's problems; usually, it just makes them ten times worse. It adds a layer of dread that elevates the stakes from a simple civil war to something much more existential.
The Conclusion in The Traitor
Ending a trilogy is hard. Ending a "grimdark" trilogy without it feeling nihilistic or overly predictable is even harder. The Traitor manages to stick the landing, though it’s a divisive ending for some.
Without spoiling too much, the final book deals with the ultimate consequences of blind faith. It brings Alwyn’s journey full circle. The title itself is a bit of a wink to the reader—who is the traitor? Is it Alwyn? Is it the Prophet? Is it the faith itself? The resolution of the "Covenant" is both grand in scale and deeply personal. It’s a bittersweet ending that rewards people who paid attention to the small details in the first two books.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Series
A lot of readers go into The Covenant of Steel expecting a repeat of Blood Song. That’s a mistake. While Vaelin Al Sorna was a legendary warrior-hero, Alwyn Scribe is a survivor. He’s a tactician. He’s a guy who wins by being smarter, meaner, or just luckier than the guy across from him.
If you're looking for a "zero to hero" story where the protagonist becomes an invincible god, this isn't it. This is a story about the scars—physical and mental—that come with power.
Another misconception is that it’s just "misery porn." Sure, it’s dark. Yes, bad things happen to good people. But there’s a dry wit to Alwyn’s narration that keeps it from being depressing. There’s a lot of gallows humor. The camaraderie between the soldiers in the Covenant Company is genuinely heartwarming at times, which makes the inevitable tragedies hit that much harder.
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Technical Mastery: Ryan’s Evolution
From a writing standpoint, Ryan’s work here is his most polished. His pacing is relentless. He’s mastered the "just one more chapter" hook.
- Pacing: He alternates between intense action and quiet, character-driven moments.
- Voice: Alwyn’s narrative voice remains consistent across all three books, even as he ages.
- Worldbuilding: He doesn't do "info-dumps." You learn about the world through Alwyn’s eyes, usually when he’s about to be killed by something in it.
The way he handles the lore of the "Seven Step" and the history of Albermaine feels organic. You don't need a glossary to understand the stakes, though one is usually provided. It's an immersive experience that doesn't require a PhD in fantasy cartography to enjoy.
How to Get the Most Out of The Covenant of Steel
If you’re planning on diving into this trilogy, don't rush it. The beauty is in the details. Pay attention to the way Alwyn describes books and writing. Remember that he is a scribe first and foremost. His obsession with records and the "truth" of history is a major theme.
Also, keep an eye on the secondary characters like Brewer and Tysn. Ryan is great at giving even minor characters a distinct personality and an arc. They aren't just redshirts waiting to be slaughtered; they represent what Alwyn is fighting to protect—or what he’s willing to sacrifice.
Actionable Next Steps for Readers:
- Start with The Pariah: Don't try to jump into the middle. The emotional payoff of the final book depends entirely on seeing Alwyn's humble (and criminal) beginnings.
- Listen to the Audiobooks: Steven Brand narrates the series, and his gravelly, weary tone is absolutely perfect for Alwyn Scribe. It adds an extra layer of atmosphere that’s hard to beat.
- Look for the Maps: The geography of the Caerwald and the surrounding regions matters for the military campaigns. Having a map handy helps you visualize the grueling marches the characters endure.
- Read Anthony Ryan's Short Stories: If you finish the trilogy and want more, Ryan often releases novellas or short stories in his worlds. Keep an eye on his official site for "The Scribe's" additional notes.
- Compare with Blood Song: Once you've finished, it’s worth revisiting Ryan’s debut. You’ll see how much his handling of first-person perspective has evolved and matured over a decade of writing.
The Covenant of Steel is a rare beast in modern fantasy. It’s a complete, self-contained story that doesn't overstay its welcome. It asks tough questions about what we believe and why we believe it, all while delivering some of the best battle scenes in the genre. Whether you’re a long-time Ryan fan or a newcomer to grimdark, Alwyn Scribe’s journey is one you won’t forget anytime soon.